why do i seem to gain weight when I exercise?

So, I haven't exercised in a few months. My average weight is 130-131 (5'3). I've only been exercising for 3 days and I've already gained 2 pounds. i usually don't fluctuate that much and I'm eating about the same, so why am I gaining? I've been doing cardio and circuit training. Is it muscle gain? I do want to gain muscle, but I wanna do it while I'm losing weight.

Your muscles are retaining water. Totally normal when you start exercising.

it's normal, just wait in a week or two you will start losing weight. now you're just turning fat into muscle and it will be a while until you start burning actual calories. 

Original Post by yarden3:

it's normal, just wait in a week or two you will start losing weight. now you're just turning fat into muscle and it will be a while until you start burning actual calories. 

What? 

1. Fat does not turn into muscle, it's a physiological imposibility

2. You ALWAYS burn calories when you work out; there's no week long warm up period.

On a lighter note, emilyd was completely right. You have your answer.

So if it is water retention, what can I do bout it?

Well, if it's water retention, it isn't fat, so you can just not worry about it.

Drink water, don't go overboard on sodium, and it'll level out eventually, just don't be surprised if it continues to jump the day after working out.

Agreed, it's water. You can't build muscle in three days and you definitely can't turn fat into muscle, lol! I wouldn't worry about the water pounds, it's just a number on the scale and not an increase in fat.

I am also having a similar dilemma. I have increased my exercise--65 min on elliptical plus 30-40 min walking (about 10 min each at random times per day) and measured my thighs to find that they INCREASED in size 0.5 inches from last week. I was ALARMED. So is this also due to the muscle retaining water? I was looking to lose some inches from my thighs...not gain...I am also eating the same.

same thing is happening to me! I have been very dedicated and work out 6x a week for about 3 weeks and there is no difference in my weight or inches... (at times, I even gain a lb, which i lose throughout the day= water)...

But I do believe the water retention is a major reason... I will wait it out!

I have been doing circuit training for about 2 months, I lost 4lb the first month which tallies with a daily 500 cal deficit but here I am at the end of month 2 and Ive gained 2.5 lbs

Measurements are the same but I know I am stronger, so must be gaining muscle. I hope it evens out over the next month.